Thought for the Week
“Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Were any words ever so familiar and yet so little-followed? Ironic, since it illustrates Jesus’ very point. He’s not saying that the majority of people choose the wrong path in life, but that the majority don’t choose at all. And that, in not choosing, they’re simply carried along by the herd down the broad path that leads to—well, we all know where animals who are being herded end up.
Little choices (“Earl Grey or Chai?”—those kinds of choices) are easy. Big choices (“Who shall I be?”—those kinds of choices) are hard. And so we focus on the little ones and avoid the big ones. But, as Neil Gaiman notes, “If you’re given the choice between Armageddon or tea, you don’t say ‘what kind of tea?’” Yes, choosing is hard…
But the alternative to making big choices is a life that isn’t a life.
“The right choice is hardly ever the easy choice.” ~Rick Riordan
“To take away a man’s freedom of choice, even his freedom to make the wrong choice, is to manipulate him as though he were a puppet and not a person.” ~Madeline L’Engle
“To say you have no choice is to relieve yourself of responsibility.” ~Patrick Ness
“You can’t control your fate by refusing to make choices. I didn’t discover my destiny until I faced my circumstances. It’s about making choices you don’t want to make; that’s what decides your destiny.” ~The Wishing Map
“We don’t get to choose what is true. We only get to choose what we do about it.”
~Kami Garcia
Mitch Teemley 
“The road to hell is a gentle slope, soft underfoot. No directions, no warning signs.” C.S. Lewis
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A perfect addition to the above quotes, Jack.
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Reblogged this on OPENED HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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“To admire mere choice is to refuse to choose” – GK Chesterton
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Never hear of Neil Gaiman but I love the wisdom of his words. Here is one from King Solomon “but he who fails to find me injures himself; all who hate me love death.” Proverbs 8:36 ESV
Truth is hard like a rock but it sure lasts a lot longer than a beautiful soft snow!
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Indeed, Pete.
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“Not to decide is to decide.” – Harvey Cox
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matthew 7:11 hide the word
don’t sin against thee
o was that exodus 3:11
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Read them and find out, Rudy.
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yes they are the hiding the word scripture which you left out
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Neither of those Bible verses says anything about “hiding the word,” Rudy. I included Matthew 7:13-14, because that’s what I was talking about, not what’s in verse 11, or in Exodus 3:11. I’m pretty you’re talking about numbers, rather than words, Rudy, but I don’t think the way you do, so it’s hard for me to understand what you mean.
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that means try again at lease psalms 103:11 o john 15:11 to find the hiding the word scripture matthew 7:13 o exodus 3:13 says hide all things through christ & he is my strength o bear with each other & forgive.
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This is powerful, Mitch. How true that the majority don’t reject Christ, they just give Him no thought at all. Following the crowd is not going to be what they imagine on that day. My prayer is that many will open their eyes to see this is more than choosing what tea you’re in the mood for.
Blessings,
Debi
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Thank you, Debi, you too.
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“To take away a man’s freedom of choice, even his freedom to make the wrong choice, is to manipulate him as though he were a puppet and not a person.” ~Madeline L’Engle
That quote is apt considering the state of the world currently.
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💜 Bro Jesu spoke in Parables and Riddles basically saying THINK!!! for YOURSELF!!! The Origins of ‘Christian’ is a mocking term aimed The Followers of Christ in Roman Times when ‘Christians’ were Being Thrown to The Lions EveryOne, a bit like ‘nigger’, ‘bitch’ and other Derogatory Terms, until Emperor Constantine put a Stop To The Killing with an Early Version of The Bible where The Old Testament is Essentially The Torah and The New Testament The Sharing of Bro Jesu (who was NOT!!! ‘Christian’) Ministering…for Example He said “The Kingdom of Heaven is within.” so Logic would Dictate that Hell is also within; ergo “The Wide Gate” could be construed as a Mental State of Wanting EVERYTHING!!! NOW!!! Getting it and Being Thoroughly DisAppointed with The Pyrrhic Victories EveryBody…while “The Narrow Gate” may Represent an Approach to Life that is Patient and Measured; in Summary, CHOOSE!!! to Wait Until YOU!!! Die before Entering Heaven/Hell or Create Hell/Heaven on Earth 🌎
…💛💚💙…
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Hi Mitch. To put a more positive spin on the highway metaphor:
Might the above-mentioned majority, not choosing at all, be akin to momentarily confused, first time roundabout navigating motorists going around in circles?
With the proper “driver training”, they’ll be able to discover the true path forward.
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Thought-provoking quotes, Mitch, and as usual you saved the best for last. Kami Garcia’s statement speaks directly and wisely to the proponents of relativism. I’m copying that one into my quote journal!
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Good to hear from you, Nancy. Hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as you deserve.
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Thank you, Mitch. Don’t know about the deserving part, but we gathered with family this year, which was especially delightful after last year’s isolation!
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Nice quotes❤️
Thanks
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Great Post! And quite inspiring. We are most definitely spiritual kin. Some time ago I posted “The Easy Wrong” Hope you had a great Thanksgiving my friend…Blessings and Peace!
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Great to hear from you, Claudia! Yes, I did, and you as well, I hope.
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Yes we had a blessed Thanksgiving. I am scheduled to have major surgery on 12/14. Keep me in your prayers.
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!! Will do, Claudia!
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Pingback: Big Choices Are Hard — Mitch Teemley – Ms Coletha’s Blog
Yes there seems to be a causal connection between good or bad luck and good or bad choice for spiritual consideration.
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Mitch,
Yes. Lord help us stay on the straight and narrow.
Thanks,
Gary
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“A fool will rely on his own understanding.”
Godly wisdom is wise indeed!
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